Wheel and axle assembly



Filed March 6, 195.3

fk5 M/ N ,www M .2 w m m W wm ,O70 2 ,m a. @www 1w m/ 1p1/@ 4 @a zm /mww w w yns Patented Sept. 15, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WHEEL AND AXLE ASSEIKBLY-' Alfred H. Oelkers.. and Fred E. Bachman, Chicago, Ill., assignors to American Steel Foundries, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of New Jersey Application Msi-ch s,

' 1s claims.

This invention relates to wheel and axle assem\ blies for railway rolling 'stockand more particularly tothe provision of a roller bearing assembly through which the journal box is mounted on the axle.

There has been disclosed in Bachman, Serial N0. 512,805,.led February 2, 1931, a roller bearing assembly through which the journal box is supported upon the axle, the

any axle deection that may occur.

VIn railway cars driven by electric motors, the current is frequently taken from the motor windings through the wheels and axles 'to the`rails. When the weight of the car is carried on the roller bearing, damage frequently results from the passage of electrical current through the rollers of the bearing.

It is an object of the present invention to provide carA axles, especially axles of cars driven by e electric motors, with roller bearing assemblies,

- the journal box and bearing assembly being of such construction that the journal box may oscillate with respect to the axle and may have a limited amount of lateral movement with respect to the axle.

It is further an object of the.present invention to :provide a journal box mounting for roller bearings having insulating material for preventing passage of electric currents through the roller bearing assembly.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide anti-friction material associated with a roller bearing assembly in such a. manner that upon failure of the roller bearing, the axle may continue its rotation with respect to the journal box, the anti-friction providing an emergency bearing.

With these and various other objects in view, the invention may consist of certain novel features of construction and operation as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out the application of' bearing being of a type to take both vertical load v and end thrust and self-aligning to accommodate in the specication, drawing and claims ,appended i933, serial No. 659,660

(ci. sos-iso) 28 has xedly mounted thereon a wheel 22. f A slightlylreduced portion 24 of the axle has mounted thereon a deflector'ring or collar 26. 'Ihe axle has a further reduced Aportion constituting a journal bearing 28 and a reduced end portion 30. 'Ihe axle fits into a journal box 32 adapted to be mounted in the side frame of a truck.

The journal box has an inner closure 34 secured by boltsl 36, and provided with an arcuate flange 38 inwardly directed with respect to the journal box -at the top portion thereof. 'I'he ,closure 34 is further vprovided with an annular flange 4l) extending over the collar 26 and an inwardly directed annular flange 42 overlapped by `the cylindrical flange 44 of a deector collar 46 mounted on the bearing portion 28 of the axle. The journal box has an outer closure member `48 fastened by bolts 56. Lubricant may be introduced into the journal box th'rough an opening closed by a plug 52 and may be drained by removal of plug 54. The journal box is provided nal box.Y The roller be'aring cone 58 has a spherical roller raceway 60. A pair of outer race rings 62 are provided, having spherical raceways 64.

'I'he race rings 62 are assembled within a retainer 66. 'I'he two courses of rollers- 68 are concave to flt the spherical raceways and the outer ends of the rollers are of smaller diameter than the inner ends. The inner larger ends of the rollers are of frusto-conical shape; and are adapted to abut each other in the assembled position, as indicated at 10, thereby'eiectively holding each other in the proper endwise running position. The roller cage 12 is provided with inwardly directed portions 14 which run in close proximity to the spherical surface of the bearing cone 58v and the cage is thereby guided to run concentrically. The ngers 16 of the cage separate the rollers in each course. v

In Figures 1 and 3 the roller bearing assembly is mounted directly on and fixedly secured to the journal bearing 28 of the axle by press fitting the inner cone 58 thereon but the bearing porl tion 18 of the journal box which extends from to 32 is separated from the retainer ring 66 of the roller bearing assemblyby anti-friction insulation material 84 overlapping the ends of bearing area 18 and flanged at its sides as at 86 over the edges of the retainer ring. 4It ,will be` noted that the distance between the flanges 38 and 56 in Figure 1 is somewhat greater than the width of the roller bearing assembly including the insulation material .84. Therefore, the

wheel and axle assembly together with the roller bearing assembly is free to float in and out of the journal box to the extent of. this clearance, thus providing for normal lateral movement.

In Figure 2 the bearing portion 1s of the journal box rests directly upon the retainer ring 66 of the roller bearing assembly. 'I'he roller bearpressed against the deflector ring 96. The nut 92 is locked in position by a cotter pin 93.

Inboth forms of the structure disclosed,"in

sulation either between the roller bearing and the journal box, as in Figure 1, or between the roller bearing and axle, as in Figure 2, prevents the passage of electrical current through the rollers at the contacting surfaces of these rollers with the cups and cones of the bearings. Furthermore the insulation material is preferably also of an anti-friction nature. In case of failure of -the roller bearing, in Figure l the bearing assembly may rotate with the axle and the antifriction insulation B4 becomes an emergency bearing. Similarly in Figure 2 the sleeves B8 constitute an emergency bearing in case of failure of the roller bearing assembly.

It is to be understood that we do not wish to be limited to the exact embodiment of the deviceshown, which is merely by lway of illustration and not limitation, as various other forms of the device -will of course be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of j the invention as ascertained from the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Ina wheel and axle assembly, the combinal tion of a rotatable wheeled axle, a journal box, said axle having a bearing portion extending into said journal box, a roller bearing assemblyiixed to said bearing portion, means providing for limited relative movement of translation between said axle and journal box, and insulating means between said axle and journal box, said means having anti-frictionproperties serving as a friction bearing between said axle and journal box in case of failure of said roller bearing assembly.

2. In a wheel and axle assembly,the combination of a rotatable wheeled axle, a journal box, said axle having a bearing portion extending into said journal box, a roller bearing assembly fixed to said bearing portion, `means providing for limited relative movement of translation between said axle and journal box, said roller bearing assembly being so constructed and arranged to provide for self-alignment irrespective of `relative angular movement of said axle and journal box, and insulating means between said axle and journal box, said means having anti-friction properties'serving as a friction bearing between said axle and journal box in case of failure of said roller bearing assembly. l

3. In a bearingassembly, the combination of an axle, a journal housing having an apertured closure member, said aperture being dened by an inwardly and axially disposed flange, said flange terminating in a radially disposed portion forming a lubricant channel between the same and said closure member, said axle having a bearing portion extending into said journal housing through said aperture, a roller bearing assembly 5 disposed between said axle and journal housing and including a race member fixed to said bearing portion in spaced relation to said flange, and a collar xed to said axle in abutting relation to said race member and having a part overlapping said lubricant channel to provide a. lubricant seal for said journal housing.

4. In a bearing assembly, the combination of an axle, a journal housing having an apertured closure member, said member having an outwardly and axially disposed ange and said aperture being defined by an inwardly and axially disposed flange, said axle having a bearing portion extending into said journal housing through said aperture, a roller bearing assembly disposed between said axle and journal housing and including a race member fixed to said bearing portion in spaced relation to one of said flanges, and spaced collars mounted on said axle, one of said collars being overlapped by said outwardly .disposed flange and the other of said collars bejing disposed in abutting relation to said race member and having a part overlapping said inwardly disposed flange, said flanges and collars providing a lubricant seal for said journal housllg- 5. In a bearing assembly, the combination of an axle, a journal housing having a. flange servling as a stop and an oppositely disposed apertured closure member, said closure member having spaced inwardly and axially disposed flanges, one of said flanges being adjacent to and defining said aperture and the other of said flanges being oppositely disposed in respect to the stop flange of said journal housing and serving as 40 a stop, said axle having a bearing portion extending into said journal housing 4through said aperture and being provided with a shoulder, a roller bearing assembly disposed .between said axle and journal housing, said assembly including a race member disposed between said stop flanges to permit limitedmovement of s'aid assembly and a race member fixed to said bearing portion in spaced relation to said shoulder, and

a collar fixed to said axle in abutting relation to said race member and shoulder and having a. part overlapping said flange adjacentsaid aperture to provide xa lubricant seal for said journal housing.

6. In a bearing'assembly, the combination of 5 anaxle, a journal housing having a flange serving as a. stop and an oppositely disposed apertured closure membensaid closure member having an outwardly and axially disposed flange and spaced inwardly and axially disposed flanges, one of said last-named flanges being adjacent to and defining said aperture and the other or said flanges being oppositely disposed in respect to the stopilange of said journal housing and serving as a stop',` said axle having a bearing 65 portion extending into said journal housing through said aperture and being provided with -spaced shoulders, a roller bearing assembly dishousing.

. 7. In a wheel and axle assembly, the combination of a rotatable wheeled axle, a journal box, said axle having a bearing portion extending into said journal box, a roller bearing assembly disposed between said axle and journal box and comprising a race member fixed on said axle and a race member disposed in supporting relation to said journal box, means providing for limitedI relative movement of translation between said axle and journal box, and an insulating member associated with one of said race members to provide insulation between said axle and journal box, said member having anti-friction properties serving as a friction bearing between said axle and journal box in case of failure of said roller bearing assembly.

8. In a wheel and axle assembly,y the combination of a rotatable wheeled axle, a journal box, said axle having a bearing portion extending into said journal box, aroller bearing assembly disposed between said axle and journal box and comprising a race member iixed on said axle and a race member disposed in supporting relation to said journal box, means providing for limited relative movement of translation between said axle and journal box, said roller bearing assembly being so constructed and arranged to provide for self-alignment irrespective of relative angular movement of said axle and journal box, and an insulating member associated` with one of said race members to provide insulation between said axle and journal box, saidmember having antifriction properties serving as a friction bearing between said axle andjournal box in case of failure of said roller bearing assembly.

9. In a wheel and axle assembly, the combination of a` rotatable wheeled axle, a journal box, said axle having a bearing portion extending into said\ journal box, a roller bearing assembly disposed between said axle and journal box and comprising a race member iixed on said axle and a race member disposed in Supporting relation to said journal box, means providing for limited relative movement of translation between said axle and journal box, and insulating means associated with one of said race members, said means comprising axially and radially disposed portions embracing said member to provide complete insulation between said axle and journal box, said insulating means having anti-friction properties serving as a friction bearing between said axle and journal box in case of failure of said roller bearing assembly.

` 10. In a wheel and axle assembly, the corn-l bination of' a rotatable wheeled axle, a journal box, said axle having a bearing-portion extendlng into said journal box, a roller bearing assembly disposed between said axle and journal box and comprising a race member xed on said axle and a race member disposed in lsupporting relation to said journal box, spaced stops on said journal box cooperating with the outer of said race members to permit limited relative movement of translation between said axle and journal box, and an insulating member disposed befriction bearing during said relative movement of translation and in case of failure of said roller bearing assembly.

11. In a wheel and axle assembly, the combination of a rotatable wheeled axle, a journal box, said axle having a bearing portion extending into said journal box, a roller bearing assembly disposed between said axle and journal box and comprising a race member fixed on said axleand a race member disposed in supporting relation to said journal box, spaced stops on said journal box cooperating with the outer of said race members to permit limited relative movement of transla' sulating member serving as a friction bearingy during said relative movement of translation and in case of failure of said roller bearing assembly,

and means for preventing rotation of said insulat- A ing member relative to said journal box. I

12. In awheel and axle assembly,'the combination of a rotatable wheeled axle, a journal box, said axle having a bearing portion extending into said journal box, a roller bearing assembly disposed between said axle and journal box and comprising a race member fixed on said axle and a race member disposed in supporting relation to said journal box, spaced stops on said journal box cooperating with the outer of said race members to permit limited relative movement of translation between said axle and journal box, and an insulating member disposed between said outer race member and journal box and havingradially disposed portions disposed between said race member and said stops to provide insulation betweensaid axle and journal box, said insulating member serving as a friction bearing during said relative movement of translation and in case of failure of said roller bearing assembly.

13. In a wheel and axle assembly, the combito said journal box, spaced stops on said journal box cooperating with the outer of said race members to permit limited relative movement of translation between said axle' and journal box, an insulating member disposed between said outer race member and journaled box and having radially disposed portions disposed between said race member and said stops to provide insulation between vsaid axle and journal box, said insulating member serving as a friction bearing during said relative movement of translation and in case of failure of said roller bearing assembly, and means for preventing rotation of said insulating member relative to said journal box.

14. In a wheel and axle assembly, the combination of a rotatable4 wheeled axle, a journal box, said axle having a bearing portion extending into said journal box, a roller bearing assembly disposed between said axle and journal box and comprising an inner and an outerrace member, spaced stops on said journal box cooperating with the outer race member to permit relative movement of translation between said axle and journal y box, insulating sleeve members disposed between said inner race member and axle to provide insulation between said axle and journal box, and means disposed in abutting relation to said inner sol race member for normally xing the same to said axle, said sleeve members serving as friction bearings in case of failure of said roller bearing.

having radially disposed portions adjacent the edges o1' said member, and means disposed to engage said portions for normally xing said roller bearing assembly to said axle, said sleeve members serving as friction bearings in case of failure of said roller bearing.

of failure of said roller bearing assembly.

- ALFRED H. OELKERS.

FRED E. liACI-IMAN.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

15. In a wheel and axle assembly, the com- 16. In a wheel and axle assembly, the com- 5 bination of a rotatable wheeled axle, a journal bination of a rotatable axle, a journal box, said box, said axle being a bearing portion extending axle having a bearing portionextending into into said journal box, a roller bearing assembly said journal box, and a roller bearing assembly disposed between said axle and journal box and disposed between said axle and journal box and 10 comprising an inner ad an outer race member, being normally xed to said axle, and insulating l0 spaced stops on said journal box cooperating with means between said axle and journal box, said the outer race member to permit relative movemeans having anti-friction properties and being ment of translation between said axle and jourconstructed and arranged to serve as a friction nal box, insulating sleeve members disposed bebearing between said axle and journal box in case 15 tween said inner race member and axle and l l5 September 15, 1936 Patent No. 2,054,228.

ALFRED H. oELKERs, ET A L.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above `numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, second column, line 54, claim 13,,v for the word "journaled" read journl; Page 4. first column, line 7, claim l5. for "being" read having; line 10, same claim, for "ad" read and; and that the said Letters Pate-nt should be read with these corrections therein that th theA case in the Patent Office.

e same may conform to the record of" Signed and sealed this 1st day `of December, .A. D. 1956. l

(Seal) i I Henry Van Arsdale Acting Commissioner of Patents. l

race member for normally xing the same to said axle, said sleeve members serving as friction bearings in case of failure of said roller bearing.

having radially disposed portions adjacent the edges o1' said member, and means disposed to engage said portions for normally xing said roller bearing assembly to said axle, said sleeve members serving as friction bearings in case of failure of said roller bearing.

of failure of said roller bearing assembly.

- ALFRED H. OELKERS.

FRED E. liACI-IMAN.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

15. In a wheel and axle assembly, the com- 16. In a wheel and axle assembly, the com- 5 bination of a rotatable wheeled axle, a journal bination of a rotatable axle, a journal box, said box, said axle being a bearing portion extending axle having a bearing portionextending into into said journal box, a roller bearing assembly said journal box, and a roller bearing assembly disposed between said axle and journal box and disposed between said axle and journal box and 10 comprising an inner ad an outer race member, being normally xed to said axle, and insulating l0 spaced stops on said journal box cooperating with means between said axle and journal box, said the outer race member to permit relative movemeans having anti-friction properties and being ment of translation between said axle and jourconstructed and arranged to serve as a friction nal box, insulating sleeve members disposed bebearing between said axle and journal box in case 15 tween said inner race member and axle and l l5 September 15, 1936 Patent No. 2,054,228.

ALFRED H. oELKERs, ET A L.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above `numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, second column, line 54, claim 13,,v for the word "journaled" read journl; Page 4. first column, line 7, claim l5. for "being" read having; line 10, same claim, for "ad" read and; and that the said Letters Pate-nt should be read with these corrections therein that th theA case in the Patent Office.

e same may conform to the record of" Signed and sealed this 1st day `of December, .A. D. 1956. l

(Seal) i I Henry Van Arsdale Acting Commissioner of Patents. l 

